| From the Western Democrat (Charlotte,
N.C.) |
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| November 1, 1864 |
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| The Columbia & Hamburg Railroad |
| President's Report |
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| To the Stockholders of the Columbia &
Hamburg Railroad Company: |
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| In the month of August, 1863,
this Company was organized for the purpose of making a direct connection
by rail between the roads terminating at the cities of Columbia and
Augusta. Subsequently the Board of Directors was organized, and elected
Jas. G. Gibbes, Chief Engineer, and Henry Moore Sec'y and Treasurer. The
Chief Engineer was directed to organize a corps of engineers as early as
practicable, and make the necessary surveys and location, and report to
the Board as soon as possible; while your Treasurer was directed to
receive in advance all installments on stock subscriptions which might
be tendered by the subscribers; and the President was authorized to
invest the funds of the company in such property and securities as would
best ensure the success of the enterprise. Fleming Gardner was engaged
as Chief Locating Engineer, who, with his assistants, soon entered upon
the duties of making the necessary surveys. Two routes were presented.
One known as the direct, and the other as the Ridge route. After much
labor and many reconnaissance's and observations with the copass and
level, it was ascertained that the Ridge route, passing six miles from
Edgefield Court House, although the longer, possessed many
countervailing advantages. Much difficulty was experienced in getting a
proper location from west of the Pine House to the city of Augusta, on
account of the great elevation of the former over the latter place. The
ridge maintains its elevation in a great degree until within a few miles
of Augusta, thence the descent is very rapid. On a direct line no grade
even of 60 feet to the mile over this portion could be obtained,
although it was the policy of the company that the maximum grade should
not exceed fifty feet. In order to overcome the very serious objections
to the operations of the Road hereafter arising from steep grades, the
"Horse Creek" route, passing through Graniteville, was finally
recommended as possessing the greatest advantages. The Chief Engineer,
therefore, recommended the line crossing the Congaree river about one
mile above Granby, passing near Lexington C. H., near Leesville, about
one-half mile south-east of the Pine House, through Graniteville and
Hamburg, to the Georgia Railroad Depot in the city of Augusta. After a
full discussion of the different lines surveyed, and the policy which
should govern the company, the Board of Directors unanimously adopted
the route as recommended and indicated above -- subject to such local
changes as the interest of the company may require. For more definite
information on this subject, attention is invited to the report of the
Chief Engineer. |
| Early after the organization
of the Board of Directors, the attention of the Government was called to
the proposed work by the President, and the Company assured of such
reasonable aid by the War Department as could be given to its progress
without detriment to the military arm of the service. The company
acknowledges the obligation for "not exceeding forty details," exemption
from impressment of necessary supplies, and some facilities for
transportation of subsistence. This application for detailed contractors
was made in January last, when much of the graduation as ready to let,
but the unsettled legislation of Congress on this subject, and the
paramount necessity for soldiers to defend the country, caused the Hon.
Sec'y of War to suspend granting the request until about the 1st of
June. By this period all the surplus labor of the country had been
engaged for the year, either in the cultivation of farms or otherwise,
and it was impossible to hire hands or get contractors. But for this
unavoidable delay, 800 hands might now be at work instead of 200. As the
cultivation of the crops, however, ceased in August, and the advance of
the enemy drove back labor and capital into the interior, two forces
were started by the company hiring the hands and placing the one on each
end of the line. This induced other contractors to commence, who are now
freely taking the graduation at fair prices to the company and
remunerating to themselves. The construction of the Bridge across
Congaree river will be commenced as early as possible, and the entire
work pressed with as much vigor as the limited resources of the country
will permit. |
| A very large proportion of the
subscription to the capital stock of the company was paid in last Fall
and Winter to the Treasurer to the Treasurer, and that which was thought
to be of doubtful policy then -- receiving all installments in advance
-- has proved to be a wise one for the company in the development of
subsequent events. A very large sum has been saved from the depreciation
of the currency to the stockholders, by the prompt investments of all
the surplus funds in cotton, slaves and Confederate bonds. So well
satisfied were your President and Treasurer of this line of policy that
the receipts of the Treasury were often anticipated to the extent of
fifty or one hundred thousand dollars. It is believed that the funds
have been judiciously invested, and that comparatively little loss has
occurred to the company from fire or otherwise considering the quantity
of cotton it has held. |
| In order to obtain some of the
materials and tools necessary for the graduation of the road,
arrangements were made for the exportation and sale of several hundred
bales of cotton. These operations of exporting and importing have been
attended with reasonable success, and a fair supply of tools and some
other materials secured which could not be had otherwise. Much credit is
due to your Treasurer for his efficient co-operation in this matter, as
well as the collection and investment of the funds; and to his Financial
Report your attention is asked for more detailed information. |
| In these disjointed times it
would be hazardous to make any calculation as to the progress of the
road. If 800 hands can (by the last of October) be placed on the work
and the iron procured, track-laying could be commenced on the western
end of the line in June next, and on the eastern end in July, if fair
progress is made at the Congaree River Bridge. With two forces, laying
from 6 to 8 miles per month each, the rails might soon be made ready for
the locomotive over the entire line to intersect the South Carolina
Railroad at or near Graniteville, a distance of 69 miles, should the
Government deem it of such military importance to furnish the iron and
make the connection. In the vicissitudes of war, should it continue a
year or two longer, it may become absolutely necessary for the
transportation of troops and munitions. Its construction will make a
saving in actual distance between Richmond and Augusta of 61 miles,
besides avoiding the necessary delays at Kingsville and Branchville --
thus making practically saving in time and distance equal to 100
miles. If, in the casualties of war, the South Carolina Road should be
occupied or cut by the enemy at Branchville, or at any point between
Kingsville and Aiken, without this Road our Government would have to
resort ot wagon transportation from Columbia to Augusta. With it
completed, however, the saving in time and distance in the
transportation of all troops and materials of war would be immense to
the Government, even if the other contingency did not occur. The
completion of the Piedmont Railroad has saved Richmond from the rapacity
of a vandal foe, and all the arguments and motives of policy which
applied to that as a military necessity when it commenced, apply with
equal force to the Columbia & Hamburg Railroad. With this line
completed, and cars running through from Charlotte to Augusta, large
reinforcements might in a few days be transferred from Atlanta to
Richmond, or vice versa, while it would require the enemy more than
double the time to send to or from the same places, through Ohio and
Pennsylvania, the same number of troops to the opposing armies, and thus
enable our Government to defend our country and gain our independence
with a reduced force. It is rapidity of motion that gives the power of
concentration. Railroads are the media of quick transit, and were the
means used to combine our armies and win supremacy and victory on the
plains of Manassas, and the well-contested fields of Richmond and
Shiloh. They annihilate space, build cities, people and develop
countries, equalize the expenses of living, distribute the productions
of art and science among mankind, give cultivation and refinement to
society and strength and power to Governments. All direct routes of
steam, whether by land or water, in times of peace or war, are to
mankind like great labor-saving machines, and are the elements of public
and private wealth, strength and prosperity. These considerations of
public policy have not been without their influences in inducing your
officers to urge forward this work, so necessary in a state of peace as
well as war, and under circumstances very unfavorable for the progress
of such works. If private capital, while seeking an investment, can thus
voluntarily be made subservient to our country's welfare and
independence, it will hereafter be gratifying to every patriotic
stockholder to know that his means contributed to so desirable a result. |
| The War Department has been
advised that the work would be tendered to the Government during the war
so soon as the graduation was ready for the iron. Should it be unable or
unwilling to complete it, the Stockholders will still have a good
property, and can finish it so soon as peace returns or the iron can be
procured. With the Piedmont Road finished, this constitutes the last
important link to be made in the great Metropolitan line of railway,
beginning at the Potomac, passing through Richmond, Charlotte, Columbia,
Augusta, Meridian and Jackson, to Vicksburg, and there connecting with
the Southern Pacific Road, destined to reach far into the interior of
the State of Texas. A great central line of railway, thus extending its
Briaerian arms to the very confines of the Confederacy, running through
almost the centre of territory, wealth and population of seven States,
and passing through the capitals of five of them, will always possess
advantages of transportation over very other route. |
| After three years of flagrant
way, conducted on a scale and magnitude unexampled for the strength and
resources of the contending powers, this line remains almost intact by
our enemies, except where the Potomac and Mississippi rivers open the
gates to reach it. Its location gives it great advantages of security,
of pleasant, healthful climate and water, and exemption from the
extremes of heat and cold, to which other routes may be exposed. Any
portion of it, therefore, properly constructed and managed, promises a
profitable investment to capital. |
| A Charter has been granted by
the State of Georgia to cross the Savannah River, and pass through the
city of Augusta, to the Georgia Railroad Depot. A new Charter has also
been granted by the State of South Carolina. The provisions of the two
are substantially the same, and both propose to change the style of the
Corporation to the Columbia & Augusta Railroad Company. It is
respectfully recommended that these Charter be referred to a Committee
to examine and report upon to the Board of Directors, who will be
authorized to accept or reject the same. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Wm. Johnston, President |
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